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Evolution of nonclassical MHC-dependent invariant T cells

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Abstract

TCR-mediated specific recognition of antigenic peptides in the context of classical MHC molecules is a cornerstone of adaptive immunity of jawed vertebrate. Ancillary to these interactions, the T cell repertoire also includes unconventional T cells that recognize endogenous and/or exogenous antigens in a classical MHC-unrestricted manner. Among these, the mammalian nonclassical MHC class I-restricted invariant T cell (iT) subsets, such as iNKT and MAIT cells, are now believed to be integral to immune response initiation as well as in orchestrating subsequent adaptive immunity. Until recently the evolutionary origins of these cells were unknown. Here we review our current understanding of a nonclassical MHC class I-restricted iT cell population in the amphibian Xenopus laevis. Parallels with the mammalian iNKT and MAIT cells underline the crucial biological roles of these evolutionarily ancient immune subsets.

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Abbreviations

MHC:

Major histocompatibility complex

XNC:

Xenopus non-classical

SNC:

Siluriana non-classical

MR1:

Major histocompatibility molecule related 1

TCR:

T cell receptor

MAIT:

MR1 associated invariant T cells

iNKT:

Invariant natural killer T cells

iT cells:

Invariant T cells

FV3:

Frog virus 3

MYA:

Million years ago

CTL:

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes

CCU-CTL:

Classical class Ia-unrestricted CTLs

NKT:

Natural killer T cells

αGalCer:

Glycolipid α-galactoceramide

DP:

Double positive

DN:

Double negative

SLAM:

Signaling lymphocytic activation molecules

CTX:

Cortical thymocyte-specific Xenopus

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Acknowledgments

We thank Dr. Nicolas Cohen for helpful discussions and critical reading of the manuscript. This research was supported by Grants R24-AI-059830 from National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIH/NIAID).

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  1. Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA

    Eva-Stina Edholm, Leon Grayfer & Jacques Robert

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  1. Eva-Stina Edholm
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Edholm, ES., Grayfer, L. & Robert, J. Evolution of nonclassical MHC-dependent invariant T cells. Cell. Mol. Life Sci. 71, 4763–4780 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-014-1701-5

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